CC26_program_single

May 13, 2026

Utah Cultural Celebration Center West Valley City, UT

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

MARY ANNE CARTER

Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

Advancing Story, Stewardship and Shared Impact

PROGRAM 8:30 - 9:00

Registration Breakfast

9:00 - 9:15 Performance: Terry Goedel

Yakama and Tulalip Tribal Member & Hoop Dancer

Welcome: Annie DiMartino

UCA Executive Director 9:15 - 10:00

Mary Anne Carter Chair, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

10:00 - 10:15

Pass Through (walk to breakouts)

10:15 - 11:15

BREAKOUT SESSION 1

11:15 - 11:30

Pass Through (walk to breakouts)

11:30 - 12:30

BREAKOUT SESSION 2

12:20 - 1:30

Lunch

1:30 - 2:30

Public Policy Panel

2:30 - 2:50

Victoria Panella Bourns Recognition

2:50 - 3:00

Closing Remarks

Benjamin Tyrrel Beyond the Buzz: How to Navigate in This AI World

Jeren Stevenson The How To’s to Effective Advocacy

Latoya Cameron & Dee-Dee Darby Dufin Yes And: How to Adapt in Uncertain Times

Beth Mitchell What Do We Do Now? Finding the Opportunity in Every Crisis

Olivia Custodio Not Another Boring Fundraising Session

Jeren Stevenson 2026 Legislative Session: A Recap

Rep. Angela Romero, Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard and Mayor Tamara Tran

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UTAH CULTURAL ALLIANCE | CULTURE CONNECTS | WEST VALLEY CITY | MAY 13, 2026 | #UTCULTURE

MAIN LEVEL

UTAH CULTURAL CELEBRATION CENTER 1355 W 3100 S West Valley City, UT 84119

PLAZA LEVEL

UTAH CULTURAL ALLIANCE | CULTURE CONNECTS | WEST VALLEY CITY | MAY 13, 2026 | #UTCULTURE

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LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEAR COLLEAGUES, PARTNERS, AND FRIENDS, Welcome to Culture Connects 2026.

It is a privilege to gather with you, artists, administrators, educators, culture bearers and advocates from across Utah; to share space, ideas and purpose.

This year’s theme centers on something both simple and profound: storytelling. Not just the stories we present on stages or in galleries, but the stories we carry: of place, of identity, of resilience and of impact.

Each of us arrives here with a narrative shaped by our communities and our work, and today, those individual stories begin to weave into something larger.

You’ll see that idea come to life in our collective art activation, Threads of Utah. As you move through the day, I invite you to contribute your voice, your experiences, your challenges, your hopes, into this shared installation. What emerges will be more than an artwork; it will be a reflection of our interconnectedness and a visible reminder that no single thread defines us, but together, we create something strong, vibrant and enduring.

We are honored to welcome Mary Anne Carter as our keynote speaker. Her leadership at the national level underscores what we know to be true here in Utah: the arts are essential. They are essential to our well-being, to our sense of belonging and to the vitality of our communities. Her perspective connects our local efforts to a broader national movement; one that recognizes the arts not as a luxury but as a cornerstone of civic life.

Throughout today’s panels and breakout sessions, you’ll engage in conversations that challenge us to think differently, act boldly and adapt in uncertain times.

These moments are designed not just to inform, but to empower; to give you tools, language and renewed energy to carry forward into your work.

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We also take time today to honor a leader whose impact on Utah’s cultural landscape cannot be overstated: Victoria Panella Bourns. Through her service at the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Vicki has championed artists, strengthened institutions and helped shape a statewide ecosystem that is more inclusive, more connected and more resilient. Her legacy is visible not only in programs and policies, but in the people and communities who have been supported and uplifted through her work.

As we reflect on impact, it is important to recognize that the arts and cultural sector is also a powerful economic engine in Utah. Our industry generates jobs, drives tourism, fuels local businesses and contributes significantly to the state’s economy. But beyond the numbers, our true value lies in what cannot be easily measured: the connections we foster, the perspectives we expand and the communities we help to thrive.

That is why gatherings like this matter.

Because we are stronger together; when we share knowledge, when we advocate collectively and when we recognize that our individual efforts are part of a larger, interconnected system. Culture Connects exists to bring us into that shared space. To remind us that collaboration is not optional in this work, it is essential.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for the work you do every day to ensure that arts, culture and humanities continue to enrich lives across Utah.

And thank you for adding your thread to this collective story.

With gratitude,

Annie DiMartino UCA Executive Director

UTAH CULTURAL ALLIANCE | CULTURE CONNECTS | WEST VALLEY CITY | MAY 13, 2026 | #UTCULTURE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

MARY ANNE CARTER Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

“The arts are essential to creating, innovating, healing, and recovery, and they provide vital economic stability to communities across the nation.”

Confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2025, Mary Anne Carter leads the NEA with a vision that the arts belong to all Americans, supporting creativity, economic vitality and community well-being nationwide. During her previous tenure as Chair, she expanded national initiatives such as Creative Forces, NEA Big Read, and Poetry Out Loud, while advancing research and partnerships at the intersection of arts, health and economic development. Her leadership continues to elevate the role of the arts in strengthening communities across the country.

We are honored to welcome her to Utah for this important gathering.

READ MORE ABOUT MARY ANNE CARTER: www.arts.gov/about/nea-chairman

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

BREAKOUT SESSION

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Beyond the Buzz: What AI Can Actually Do for Your Organization

Yes And: How to Adapt in Uncertain Times

There’s a lot of talk about AI right now, but what does it actually look like in practice for an arts organization? In this session, you’ll see AI draft a grant proposal, build a marketing campaign, and turn messy data into board-ready strategy, all in real time. Whether you’ve never opened an AI tool or you’ve been experimenting with ChatGPT for months, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what’s possible and something you can try the next morning.

Explore practical, creative approaches to navigating change with flexibility and confidence. This session draws on storytelling and collaborative techniques to help participants respond to challenges with clarity and openness.

Benjamin Tyrrel

About Benjamin: Benjamin Tyrrel is an arts administrator, producer, and business strategist with over 20 years of experience in performing arts marketing, programming, and organizational leadership. He works with arts organizations, small businesses, and nonprofits to help connect strategy with the right technology so leaders can spend less time on busywork and more time on the work that matters.

The How To’s to Effective Advocacy

Latoya Cameron Dee-Dee Darby-Dufin

About Latoya: Latoya is an actor, singer, director, and writer. She is one of the recipients of the Mayor’s Artist Award in 2023, and was awarded the Afro Utah Festival’s Entertainment Excellence Award in 2025. She has been a Change Leader since 2022.

The second season of her podcast Sistas Unscripted with her two sisters is live now (follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook!), a proud member of Actors’ Equity, and signed with Talent Management Group. She is also the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Dramaturg for Salt Lake Acting Company, and a part of the Leaders of Color (LoCF) 2022-23 National Cohort for Creative West. Socials: IG: @ Loyaness_Roar

Jeren Stevenson

Join us for an interactive presentation designed to equip your nonprofit with the strategies and insights needed to build meaningful and mutually beneficial corporate sponsorships. In this session you will learn how to identify potential sponsors, craft a compelling proposal, and build long-term relationships with organizations that share your values.

About Jeren: Jeren Stevenson grew up in Kaysville Utah and received his bachelors degree from Utah State University. Professionally, he is a political campaign manager at Election Hive LLC & is the lobbyist for the Utah Cultural Alliance. He enjoys the political process, building relationships with the state and working with amazing organizations like UCA.

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About Dee-Dee: Dee-Dee is an actor, singer, playwright, certified coach and motivational speaker with more than 25 years of experience in training, coaching, development, and delivery.

Dee-Dee also spent 15 years in both elementary and higher education as an educator, advisor and instructional coach. She has extensive training experience in the areas of interpersonal relationships, team building, communication techniques, wellness, mental health and diversity and inclusion. DeeDee has presented at regional, national, and international conferences, and serves as current chair of the Utah Performing Arts Board of The Eccles Theater.

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

What Do We Do Now? Find the Opportunity in Every Crisis Beth Mitchell, Strategist & Storyteller

In this session, we’ll acknowledge what’s real right now— funding pressure, staffing strain, and uncertainty—but quickly pivot to what’s most useful: clarity, alignment, stronger internal communication, and smarter use of tools (yes, including AI). You’ll walk away with practical, immediately-actionable ways to focus your work, engage your team, and tell better stories—so you can do fewer things with better results and keep moving forward.

About Beth: Beth Mitchell is a strategic communications leader and the founder of Change Agent, where she helps purpose-driven organizations go from scattered to strategic. She believes most organizations don’t need more marketing to grow—they need a message that holds. Beth works with teams to clarify positioning, align messaging, and develop one-page strategies they can actually use—and that get results.

Not Another Boring Fundraising Session

Olivia Custodio, Director of Major Gifts, Sphinx Organization

BREAKOUT SESSION

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development professional, Olivia is an actor and playwright. She most recently wrote Salt Lake Acting Company’s summer show, “The Gaslight Zone,” which will play this summer, and her two-woman show, “Welcome to Fat School,” which won the Best of Fringe FFF award at the 2025 Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival.”

2026 Legislative Session: A Recap Jeren Stevenson

This session will be a recap of the 2026 legislative session; what went right, what went wrong and how we are pivoting for 2027. Learn more about the best ways to be involved with the state government and how to be involved during the 2027 legislative session.

About Jeren: Jeren Stevenson grew up in Kaysville Utah and received his bachelors degree from Utah State University. Professionally, he is a political campaign manager at Election Hive LLC & is the lobbyist for the Utah Cultural Alliance. He enjoys the political process, building relationships with the state and working with amazing organizations like UCA.

Somewhere out there, a conference session is debating the perfect donor thank-you note. This isn’t that session.

Olivia leads a frank, freewheeling conversation about what’s actually keeping fundraisers up at night: the obstacles, the opportunities, and the strategies worth trying in a complicated moment. No fluff, no filler.

About Olivia: Olivia Custodio serves as the Director of Major Gifts at the Sphinx Organization, previously holding leadership positions at Salt Lake Acting Company, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Olivia holds a BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and an MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. In addition to her life as a

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PUBLIC POLICY PANEL

Rep. Angela Romero, Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard and Mayor Tamara Tran This conversation will offer a valuable opportunity for our community to hear directly about the recent legislative session, the priorities shaping Utah’s policy landscape, and how the arts, culture, and humanities sectors can continue working in partnership with policymakers. Each panelist will offer brief remarks (approximately 10 minutes), followed by a moderated discussion and audience Q&A.

VICTORIA PANELLA BOURNS RECOGNITION

ABOUT

TERRY GOEDEL

Terry L Goedel is the author of the book, “The Circle of Light.” He is a Yakama/ Tulalip indian and has been hoop dancing for 55 years. He is a 10 time world hoop dance champion and recipient of the Utah Artist of the Year in 2024.

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UTAH CULTURAL ALLIANCE | CULTURE CONNECTS | WEST VALLEY CITY | MAY 13, 2026 | #UTCULTURE

UTAH CULTURAL ALLIANCE | CULTURE CONNECTS | WEST VALLEY CITY | MAY 13, 2026 | #UTCULTURE

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2026 CULTURE CONNECT SPONSORS WE THANK OUR SPONSORS OF THIS YEAR’S CULTURE CONNECT FOR MAKING IT ALL POSSIBLE!

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UTAH CULTURAL ALLIANCE | CULTURE CONNECTS | WEST VALLEY CITY | MAY 13, 2026 | #UTCULTURE